Junta Directiva de la UAA

Andrew Barrett Watson

Andrew Barrett Watson brings 35 years of experience in the performing arts & special events to the UAA Board. A lifelong advocate for the arts, he believes that vibrant communities thrive with access to exceptional artistic experiences.

Prior to joining the Board in 2017, Andrew managed the Arts Hub and Urban Arts Festival for UAA. Currently with Onstage Ogden, Andrew brings world-class music and dance to Northern Utah audiences. Before moving to Utah in 2013, Andrew actively contributed to the Pittsburgh arts scene. He held roles with prestigious organizations like Pittsburgh CLO and the International Children's Festival. Additionally, he owned a Middle Eastern café and performance space that was voted "Best Coffeehouse in Pittsburgh." Andrew is honored to serve on the Board of Directors, and is committed to ensuring the arts continue to flourish in Utah's communities.

Jenn Niedfeldt

Molly De Bry

My name is Molly de Bry, I am a business student at the University of Utah studying Business Marketing with a minor in Design. I’m especially interested in creative marketing and love combining strategy with design and visual storytelling. I bring experience in marketing, communication, and social media, along with a genuine interest in supporting local artists and building community through the arts. I’m excited to be part of the Utah Arts Alliance and to help connect with younger audiences while supporting its mission.

Audra Norby

Michael Anderson

As one of Utah’s top entertainment lawyers, Mike handles complex deals and disputes for clients throughout the entertainment industry, including film, television, music, publishing, radio, fashion, sports, theater, events, art, and media. While specific business and legal issues may vary from one project to the next, he provides clients with comprehensive legal counsel—often concerning contract, tort, securities, insurance, employment, constitutional, and intellectual property law.

Devin Porter

Devin is a former professional poker player who brings his strategic thinking to his role as a Director of Change Management at Cisco Systems, where he leads a team of change practitioners guiding the organization through enterprise-level transformations. He holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Western Governors University, where he also honed his change management expertise before joining Cisco.

Mauro "Jamaika" Romualdo

Mestre Jamaika (Mauro Romualdo) is an internationally recognized practitioner of the Afro-Brazilian art form of capoeira, and has engaged and positively impacted students and audiences of all ages and backgrounds for over 30 years. Born in the heart of capoeira’s birthplace and his Afro-Brazilian ancestral land, he discovered his passion for capoeira as a young child. His exceptional skill and explosive acrobatic talent put him on the world stage, and he was invited to live and teach in Israel in 1998, followed by an invitation to teach in the United States where he has lived since 1999. He's a three-time Brazilian Capoeira Confederation Champion, and owner and lead teacher of Salt Lake Capoeira since 2005. Mestre Jamaika recently had the honor of being recognized as a Utah Performing Arts Fellow due to his demonstrated extraordinary talent, bold vision, and leadership and advocacy for his art. In addition to teaching and performing, he has inspired video game characters, danced in music videos, lectured at universities, and participated in documentaries.

He has held ongoing community capoeira classes at Utah Arts Alliance facilities through their Shared Resources Program for over 20 years, and has been inspired by the organization's growth under Derek Dyer's vision and leadership, placing it among the most impactful, innovative, inclusive, and far-reaching arts organizations in Utah. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Amanda, and plans to continue honoring his ancestor’s and capoeira’s roots by sharing Afro-Brazilian culture and strengthening the community through these arts.

Kent Rigby

Kent Rigby been a producing visual artist since 1970, and has exhibited his paintings, prints,

photography, sculpture and ceramics at venues such as the Salt Lake Art Center, Kimball Art Center, University of Utah Fine Art Museum, Alvin Gittins Gallery, University of Utah Union Gallery, Myra Powell Gallery, The Gallery at the Station, Left Bank Gallery, New Visions Gallery, Brigham City Museum, Forum Gallery, Contemporary Design and Art Gallery and other local art venues. He has art works in numerous local, national and international private art collections.

Nuestro personal

Operaciones Generales

Derek Dyer

Derek Dyer is an artist, arts administrator, and advocate for the arts and social causes./Derek is the founder and Executive Director of Utah Arts Alliance (UAA). Since 2003 Derek has guided the UAA and helped establish its five venues: The SLC Arts Hub, The Urban Arts Gallery, The Art Garden, Counterpoint Recording Studios, and the Dreamscapes – Salt Lake City’s Immersive Art Experience as well as its many programs and events including the Urban Arts Festival, which is the largest free art event in Utah, Illuminate – Utah’s Light Art and Creative Tech Fest and Mural Fest a public art festival. Derek is also the founder of KUAA 99.9FM Salt Lake City’s Multilingual and Multicultural community radio station.

Derek has been an active Board and Committee member for numerous organizations including: Visit Salt Lake, Utah Cultural Alliance, SLC Downtown Alliance, South Salt Lake Arts Council, The Grand Theater, Element 11 – Utah’s Regional Burning Man Event, and has served on advisory boards for Americans for the Arts, Utah Division of Arts and Museums, Salt Lake City Corp, and Salt Lake City Arts Council. He has served as a featured juror for major exhibits by the Bountiful Davis Art Center, The Eccles Art Center, and the Woodbury Museum.

Derek is also an artist and has exhibited extensively at the local and national levels. His work has been published in several books and magazines internationally including the 2005 Guinness Book of World Records, for his World’s Largest Disco Ball art piece

Awards: Derek received the Joe McQueen Lifetime Achievement Award by the Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation. The Community Foundation of Utah named Derek as one of the top Enlightened Entrepreneurs of Utah. Catalyst Magazine named Derek as one of the top “Change Agents” in the State of Utah that have created positive change in Utah. The City of South Salt Lake awarded Derek as the Top Local Arts Advocate in 2019. Last year Derek and Utah Arts Alliance received the prestigious Salt Lake City Mayor’s Artist Award for Service to the Arts.

Shanna Futral

Shanna Futral is dedicated to connecting people and resources in a synergetic and authentic manner, enabling all involved to achieve their goals and ensuring a collective vision is realized. She specializes in helping educational, community, and cultural organizations successfully design, implement, and continuously-refine their services and programs (ranging from small scale projects to multi-million-dollar initiatives).

Shanna has served as the Director of Museum Programs and Impact at The Leonardo Museum and the Entertainment Coordinator for Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire. She was also a partner in a grant writing and project evaluation firm that secured $174 million in funding for institutional initiatives and special projects for school districts, universities, community non-profits, and Indian tribes. She has a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

Shanna loves the creative process and helping others find ways to share their talents. She is a long-time volunteer with UAA and was on the original pitch team and steering committee for Dreamscapes. She is currently an Advisory Board Member for Craft Salt Lake and the Info Booth/Hug Deil Facilitator for Element 11. Shanna is also licensed Flames Effect Artisan and storyteller/emcee who specializes in creating original mythologies for show narrative.She lives in Salt Lake City where she is actively turning her yard into an immersive art garden.

Jonathan King

Jonathan is a former medical social worker that has joined our team in the arts. With his arts and entertainment background in producing events, shows, and gatherings he has a passion for creating and fostering the Arts and all forms. Whether you have a small paint night or a Statewide Gathering, Jonathan is ready to help make your ideas a reality.

Crystal Young

Ashley Brown

Ashley "Zomby" Brown is a Utah local, born and bred right in Salt Lake City. She has studied arts throughout her professional and personal life, receiving recognition and degrees in Graphic Arts & Design, Photography, and Illustration. She has been a general lover of all things art, and has been inspired throughout her life by going to "Urban Arts Fest", "Illuminate" and "Connect" programs that the Utah Arts Alliance has put together throughout the years. She started working with the Utah Arts Alliance as Dreamer in 2019 and life has never been the same since!

Her main focus, as of late, has been as a SFX Makeup Artist at Utah's own Fear Factory, as a sculpture artist and fabricator at Dreamscapes, or as a freelance bodypainter.

When she isn't covered in paint, you can find her kayaking, getting into shenanigans with friends, or snuggled up at home with kitties and a video game.

Merlin Erickson

Merlin stands as one of the creative pillars behind Dreamscapes and UAA's other creative productions, where art and technology merge to create mesmerizing experiences. Rising from a volunteer to the roles of Technical Coordinator. he guides the team of dreamers, builders, and resident artists with a steady hand. Known for more than just his majestic mustache, Merlin possesses a dual mastery as both an artistic and technical wizard. His expertise in lights, sounds, and mechanisms shapes the essence of Dreamscapes' immersive wonders, spanning various mediums from painting to digital design. His dedication to pushing creative boundaries and integrating state-of-the-art technology is evident in every aspect of Dreamscapes' captivating landscapes. With an associate's degree in 3D animation, Merlin dedicates himself to mentoring interns, fostering collaboration and innovation within the UAA community.

Brenna Woffinden

Brenna Woffinden, an accomplished art gallery manager with a Bachelor's in Art Education, is fueled by her love for the arts and her passion for collaborating with artists. Brenna excels in curating exhibitions, nurturing artist relationships, and promoting art accessibility through community engagement. Known for her infectious enthusiasm and collaborative approach, Brenna thrives in the art world. Her unwavering dedication to supporting local artists and fostering a dynamic arts community underscores her professional ethos.

Lilliana Lopez

Lilly Lopez is a multidisciplinary creative who is dedicated to amplifying artists’ voices and fostering spaces where creativity, inclusion, and community thrive. With over seven years of experience in event marketing, social strategy, and production for immersive festivals and community events, she’s worked with organizations like Meow Wolf, Coachella, and The DoLaB to create safe spaces for artists of all forms. Her approach blends artistic vision with strategic storytelling to celebrate the diverse tapestry of Utah’s arts community.

Faye Creech

Programs & Venues

Alliance Theater

Jay Perry

Jay is an award-winning actor and member of Actor’s Equity Association, having performed in many local and regional productions coast to coast and off-Broadway.

He has originated dozens of roles in world and regional premieres with Plan-B Theatre Company, and has also performed with Salt Lake Acting Company, Pioneer Theatre Company, The Grand, Salt Lake Shakespeare, Pygmalion, The Utah Symphony, Intermezzo Chamber Orchestra, Nova Chamber Music, Paradigm Chamber Orchestra, and The Salt Lake Symphony. Jay’s voice has been featured by Ballet West, Squatters, Hertz, The Utah Arts Festival, Chair Entertainment for Xbox Live, Reading Horizons, KUER’s Radio West, and many others. Jay served as Program Coordinator and theatre school faculty at the University of Utah Youth Theatre, the largest and longest running theatre school for young people in the state of Utah. Jay has been a teacher of acting, improv, speech and movement. He has directed at Utah Theatre Arts Conservatory, the Egyptian Youth Theatre in Park City, Spyhop Productions, and was a teaching artist in residence at The Leonardo.

Jay’s passion for creating new opportunities for artists in this community led him to his work as Festival Director for the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival, and to proudly represent the Utah Arts Alliance in his work with Alliance Theater. When he’s not on a theatre stage or working behind the scenes, you can catch Jay performing with his family band, The Vitals.

Scix Maddix

Scix has been in the arts since childhood and now focuses on writing novels and producing strange and bizarre variety shows between days and nights of co-running a vibrant and active theater.

KUAA

Nate Mcquivey

Nate Mcquivey is the operations manager of 99.9 FM KUAA. He has been involved in community radio for almost 10 years now. With more than 6 years of it all volunteer work.

David Perschon

David has been involved with community radio in SLC for over 10 years, with 6 of them being the host of The Spin Cycle, M-F, 7-11 a.m. on 99.9 fm KUAA. He believes that love, peace, connection, community and healing can come through the global language of music…global neighborhood community radio!

Utah Arts Hub

Jonathan King

Estudio de grabación (Counterpoint Studios)

Terrance DH

Terrance DH has been recording in the Utah area for over 23 years. Starting out at some of Utah's most historical recording facilities (Sam Foster's, L.A. East, Ken's World's Best) and then finding a permanent home at Counterpoint Studios in 2000. Having worked with almost all top engineers in town and recording over 100 albums has really boosted his knowledge in all aspects of production, recording, mixing and mastering. In 2009, Terrancee was additionally trained by award winning producer/engineer Michael Wagener (Ozzy, Ratt, Metallica ect...) Some of Terrance's best strengths are full track drumming/band tracking, extreme piano/guitar tracking, vocal producing and rock mixing. Terrance is excited to continue his recording journey and be a part of the crew at Utah Arts Alliance and Midnight Records.